Jon Flanagan's season of misery has taken another cruel turn after he suffered a knee injury that will leave him sidelined for the rest of the year.

The young full-back has not played for Liverpool at all this season because of knee and cartilage problems – the only time he has played in public was 31 minutes of Steven Gerrard's charity match in March – but he now requires more surgery after a setback in training.

It is expected that Flanagan, who is out of contract this summer, will be sidelined for anything between six to nine months as he works his way back to fitness.

Jon Flanagan has been ruled out for a further six to nine months after further knee surgery

The 22-year-old has endured a miserable season and hasn't featured at all for Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers recently said that Liverpool would look to get Flanagan's future sorted out and the main priority now will be ensuring the 22-year-old recovers from this setback.

Flanagan was a revelation when he came into the team last season and he provided a tigerish enthusiasm on both sides of Liverpool's defence in key games.

He ended up going away with England before the World Cup started last summer to gain experience and he would have been in contention to play for in the European Under 21 Championship in the Czech Republic this summer had he not missed so much football.